EDITORIAL: DAR members celebrate 100 years

Published: Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 03:25 PM.

One hundred years is a long time for anything to last, but when there’s a good purpose behind an idea and strong motivation, a century can be just the beginning.

So it would seem with the Daughters of the American Revolution’s William Gaston Chapter.

The Gastonia group organized in 1913 and celebrated its first century recently with a big gathering of more than 100 members and friends from across the state.

It surely seemed natural that the founding members would honor Judge William Gaston by taking his name for their new chapter. After all, the name “Gaston” identified both their city and their county, and the 19th Century jurist and politician, though not a local resident, left a legacy of which every North Carolinian can be proud.

The same can be said for women who have been William Gaston members over the chapter’s history right on through today.

All have worked diligently to carry out the organization’s purpose –”promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.”

Through their volunteer work, DAR members help veterans, award scholarships to local college-bound students and, with their donations, help needy students at institutions such as North Carolina’s Crossnore School.

One hundred years is a long time for anything to last, but when there’s a good purpose behind an idea and strong motivation, a century can be just the beginning.

So it would seem with the Daughters of the American Revolution’s William Gaston Chapter.

The Gastonia group organized in 1913 and celebrated its first century recently with a big gathering of more than 100 members and friends from across the state.

It surely seemed natural that the founding members would honor Judge William Gaston by taking his name for their new chapter. After all, the name “Gaston” identified both their city and their county, and the 19th Century jurist and politician, though not a local resident, left a legacy of which every North Carolinian can be proud.

The same can be said for women who have been William Gaston members over the chapter’s history right on through today.

All have worked diligently to carry out the organization’s purpose –”promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.”

Through their volunteer work, DAR members help veterans, award scholarships to local college-bound students and, with their donations, help needy students at institutions such as North Carolina’s Crossnore School.

The local chapter also supports state and national scholarship programs that help young people attend college and that encourage higher education at all levels.

It’s clear from their work that these women see value in education as the way to a better life. For them, it’s not just talk at their meetings. They walk their talk.

Preserving America’s history is a theme that runs through much of the DAR’s work from its scholarship programs and essay contests to its fine museum in Washington, D.C. In preserving our nation’s history, the DAR helps in no small measure to preserve the freedoms unique to Americans.

Knowing how the freedoms were won and understanding how they impact life in the United States today is the best way to ensure that an over-reaching government does not erode our liberty.

A list of charter members of the William Gaston Chapter reads like a history of Gastonia and Gaston County. Many are related to the area’s textile heritage. From its beginning with 15 members, the chapter has remained strong, today boasting a membership of 44 women.

Like the women who first met to form the William Gaston Chapter, DAR, today’s members remain united in the worthwhile purpose that has kept the organization strong for 100 years and motivated by the goals of helping others and preserving the rich history of America from its beginning.

Congratulations, William Gaston Chapter, on reaching this significant milestone. May your good work continue for many centuries to come.